For this, I return to a day in my childhood: I was a 9-year-old with a horrendous tooth pain on a weekend; that meant there was no available dentist, so no cure. I held my moms hand and we went throughout the neighborhood, in my home country of Iran, and knocked on every dental office door. At every single door, we waited and waited, but there was no answer. I tried to stop my tears because, even as a 9-year-old boy, I felt something heavy in my moms heart that transcended my own tooth ache. Today, as a father, I understand that distressing pain was love, seeing your child in desperation because what should be an essential service, dentistry, was clearly not. As a mother she did not give up, and toward the end of the day, she found a dentist who relieved our pain mine physical, hers emotional.
After the 1979 revolution that disparaged my country, I moved to Greece.However, I did not have the means to achieve my childhood dream there, even as licensed dentist. To achieve it, I moved to the United States, this land of opportunity, in 1990 following the guidance of my renowned professor in Basic Sciences, Anthony Trakatelis. After five arduous years, I graduated from dental school a second time, from Columbia University. While becoming a dentist twice in my life, learning two languages (Greek and English), and being a stranger almost everywhere I go, I have never forgotten my moms distress the very reason I have come this far. I followed my dream to Greece and the United States, adopting my ethos from Paulo Coelhos quote: When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it. This is how I went on to become a dentist with the fundamental belief anyone can achieve anything, as long as they try hard enough.
In 1998, I moved from New York to Connecticut and started working at a dental practice. While there, I gave the owner an impossible idea of staying open on weekends, but he thought that it would be impractical, stating it would be too hard to find staff willing to work on weekends. After a while, I opened my own practice that proved him all too wrong. It was 700 square feet and open seven days a week, with late hours. It is the same model I follow today, twenty years later.
Today, Columbia Dental has sixteen offices throughout Connecticut, from New Milford to New London, and since 2000 we have treated more than 200,000 patients. I even followed this model throughout the pandemic when ER rooms were full of dental emergencies, always trying to give back to the community. The story of Columbia Dental began when I was a 9-year-old child with intolerable tooth pain, holding my mothers loving hand. I directed my passion with reason, and am now privileged of owning and operating Connecticuts only private dental practice that offers all specialties seven days a week, to all ages.
I am incredibly proud to see what I do as providing to my community, specifically to all parents who must not suffer finding their child an open dental practice every day with late hours and on weekends. This is my story Columbia Dentals story.
Reviews
Rating 3.7 out of 5 based on 396 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestNatilly Atwell
a year ago
ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE. I was scheduled for a wisdom tooth extraction in manchester and when I got there, there was an hour and a half wait and then their nitrous wasn't working! And not a single person there knew how to fix it. How can they not know how to work their own equipment?? I got rescheduled to hartford location and they couldn't even find me in the system! Thw manchester office didn't transfer any of my info or let anyone know I had an appt scheduled. WILL NOT BE GOING BACK.
Snatchbylacey
a year ago
The doctor that fill my tooth's yesterday 9/8/22 had me waiting for over a hour but the worst part about it is I wake up in pain last at home and my face swollen it's my worst experience ever I can't open my mouth when I call to speak to a manager no one will talk to me I will never go here again
Yara Morales
a year ago
DO NOT GO!!! RUN!! SAVE YOURSELF!! Horrible location the Dentist does not look professional at all. They rushed me to the back without my paperwork being done! Unorganized!!! THE OFFICE NEEDS TO BE REPORTED TO THE STATE DISTRICT!! And they are EXTREMELY UNSANITARY!!!!!
Cartier Sage
2 years ago
TO ANYONE READING THESE REVIEWS, PLEASE GOOGLE: "COLUMBIA DENTAL MANCHESTER CT CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT" AND AFTER YOU'VE READ THE ATROCIOUS THINGS COLUMBIA DENTAL DID, AVOID THIS PLACE LIKE THE PLAGUE. IF THEY'VE ALREADY F__KED YOU OVER, SEEK COUNSEL FROM AN ATTORNEY. GOOD LUCK.
I P
2 years ago
Don't go to any of these locations I was scammed out of almost 8000, was supposed to get a 4 unit got a five unit and it was half cemented then was charged for two root canal after the had to cut off mind you I needed a emergency one because my front tooth turned pink due to the cutting off and it being half cemented I was left with a half cemented bridge for a month, then they left me with two root canal that had to get done until I made another payment and with an improper fitted temp and a gap, that kept popping off I have been nothing but tourchered in New Britain CT/Manchester by a Dr. Oourke whomn come to find out should of never did the bridge he wasn't certified, Gale one of there main staff lied straight to me face told me he was certified and will do a great job/Dr.Parra who cut the bridge off and told me he couldn't do two of the root canals because all they want is the money/Dr. Scied who lied to me about the infections. I've had A total of 4 infections in the bridge mind you I had to seek help else where for antibiotics the second bridge they put cemented on is still was done wrong I went from needing two teeth to now 5 I have to get it removed, my gums are still swollen and it hurts to eat, I do not feel safe going there the the owner and his staff are unperfessional they need to be investigated more shut down this is not even part of my story all I know is I've been taking pictures of everything and will be reporting to the dental association every single dentist/manager ive delt with!
Steve Baker
2 years ago
My wife had a horrible experience with Columbia dental. Stay far away from these people.
Crocodille M
2 years ago
Beware. This "Dentist" is a crook. I had a ton of work done here and had insurance. Each time I had a procedure done they billed me at the time of check out. Then they put in a claim through my insurance. Weeks after each of my statements came in from my insurance company I saw what I should have been charged vs what I was actually was charged was outrageous. One particular time I was charged $1400.After they put the claim in through my insurance my co pay should have been $286. It took months to get reimbursed. The chasing around I had to do to get that credit back was unbelievable. All the while accruing interest on my credit card.They still owe me roughly $900 and I am working with an advocate because their billing department refuses to answer my calls. Be very careful with this one. He is a thief.
Crys Hale
2 years ago
Called right during opening for Emergency Dentist for surgery, due to agonizing pain and the refused to send me to the only location that was capable of surgery, instead wanting me to get a consultation at a location I got months prior that already said they couldn't help me. Even offering to pay out of pocket, I tried to explain this to the person who picked up the phone but they just said take it or leave it.
Bob Caron
2 years ago
The only reason I gave ANY stars is because of the great hygienist I saw. The dentist, who examined me, said he didn't know why one of my teeth hurt when he touched it. He just looked at the xrays, said he didn't see anything that could cause pain, and told me to book an appointment with a specialist. Been to a different dentist since, and xrays clearly show I need a root canal!!! It's been 11 months since my visit, and they STILL haven't gotten things corrected with my insurance company! Even though other dentists at that office accept my insurance, the dentist who saw me said he doesn't accept it. I wasn't told anything about that being the case. My insurance company backs me 100%, and the EOB specifically says that I should not be billed. NEVER going back! Also, their billing department never answers calls, and never returned voice mails I've left!!! The CT Attorney General is investigating this for me.
Sergio Acevedo
2 years ago
Dentist at office told me I needed a root canal and crown. Was told the crown, which wasn't covered by insurance, was a necessity. Went to a more reputable office who did the root canal and filling (no need for crown) - saved $1,500. They up sell you on unnecessary procedures and the office looks very dated. Gave two stars instead of one because they where able to get me in very quickly.
Lori Captain
2 years ago
Absolutely would NOT advise going here. My son went in on a Friday because his wisdom tooth was hurting. They ran his insurance, looked at his teeth, gave him a quote of what it will cost with the insurance he has, took a $50 deposit from him and gave him an appointment for the following Tuesday. He gets there for his appointment and all of a sudden they claim they don't take his insurance and told him he'd have to pay cash and they're not sure what he'll have to pay for the first appointment. Not only did they run his insurance, but even told him what letter it starts with on his card! They claimed the insurance person wasn't there on Friday so they didn't know they didn't take it but if so, how did they know what exact letter the policy number started with? Sounds like a sketchy, money making scheme to me
Ramon Munoz
2 years ago
Never waste your time and dental needs with this place. Please take the time to do the research for a better dentist. DR. OKASHA NEEDS TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL... JS
Michelle B
2 years ago
The guy made me terrified of the dentist. He was cussing at the hygienist and came at my face with the needle without telling me what he was doing, and then scolded me for flinching. Then the caps he did came out after 4 days anyway. Pointless trauma and now im 2 years later finally built the courage to find another dentist. Never had issues with dentists until this.
kelli taylor
2 years ago
Absolute worst place ever!!! Beware!!!!! Horrible customer service!! This place should be shut down!!! My appointment was cancelled the day before my procedure after I had arranged childcare, took the day off of work, and paid $1,700.00 . Now they no longer provide sedation so I am out of luck is pretty much what they told me. I also have to wait to be reimbursed for the money I paid. It took a month to get the appointment because they only provided that service 1 day a month! Terrible experience right from the start!!
Chelseaa Lynn
2 years ago
PLEASE DONT GO HERE THEY WILL RUIN YOUR TEETH AND SEND YOU HOME WITHOUT FIXING WHAT THEY DID! Please for the sake your for physical health and smile don't do business with these people! This is coming from my heart after they improperly did a root canal and say they can no longer help me or give me any solution to my problem.
Joseph
2 years ago
This place is AWFUL. I scheduled a cleaning three months ago as they had no appointments till then. My appointment is tomorrow and at 1:30pm a receptionist calls to say the hygienist "is gone" and they are no longer taking Husky Insurance for cleanings. My appointment I've waited three months for is in 12 hours and you call and leave me a message to say it's cancelled? I called back the receptionist was extremely rude and condescending saying it was my fault. I asked when the next appointment was and she said "never" we don't take husky anymore. Even worse when I asked her how long they had known they wouldn't be taking my insurance anymore since I had scheduled it with them three months prior. She said she'd known for a month or so!!! Can't imagine what goes on behind the scenes here. What a JOKE
John Easton
2 years ago
This place has gone from mediocre to terrible in the past few years. They have absolutely no respect for people's time, the staff is rude, the Drs are worse. Today they gave my appointment away that I've been waiting for over a month for because I couldn't answer the confirmation call at 10am, WHEN MOST PEOPLE ARE AT WORK. I called back not even a hour later and now they're going to "try and fit me in". Absolutely pathetic, I'd give them zero stars if I could. Edit: Now two weeks later I need to go see an actual professional dentist, as all of the money and time I wasted with Columbia has made things far worse for me.
Lisa chamberland
2 years ago
BEWARE DO NOT USE THEM!!!!! My son broke tooth #7 & #8. Went to this location for treatment. A plan was made on that day 1/19/22. They were going to do a root canal on #8 and remove #7, plus additional procedures over the span of time. I left my son to have the root canal and extraction done.. (my son is 21) came back when he was done. Sat down with billing and they explained they ended up doing root canals on both teeth in hopes of saving them and changed the plan we already had set in place. The were sending us for a consultation to see about braces to pull the tooth down. We go next day to the consultation and the orthodontist says they shouldn't have done a root canal on #7 because there's no tooth left. ( I knew this as well). Fast forward to the next step on 2/19/2022 we go back to remove #7 and put permanent filling in #8 to prepare for next step. I explained to billing the issue from last time and that they shouldn't have never done a root canal on #7 according to their own orthodontist and I refuse to pay for this. She says do you have your last paperwork with you. I tell her no. She comes back and says we only did a root canal on #8. We did a pulpectomy on #7. Now I know what they did and what they tried to charge me for, clearly remembered them explaining everything to me right before i paid $270. top off all that she tells me I owe another $379 for the treatment on 1/19/2022. After already paying $270 on 1/19/2022. They are billing for fraudulent services that they didn't do, then will try and double talk you to get away with it. Run and run as fast and as far as you can away from the place. I will be reporting them because they are scamming people and their insurance.
Michael Mace
2 years ago
Avoid this place if you can. Extremely disorganized, staff has no idea what they are doing. The office looks run down, but it does look clean, just old and shabby. They treat you like cattle, get in, move along. Had to give them my insurance 3 different times and then they said well because you don't have insurance. . . was moved from the dentist chair to lobby and back twice because they didn't know what I was there for even though I had an appointment. Then informed me they were out of network even though they said online they were and we had called specifically to ask before hand. Just an overall sense. Of untrustworthiness
kim siccardi
2 years ago
The staff is rude, unprofessional, childish, very very factory style setting . They do not explain things in its entirety , would not reccomend them to anyone ... I'd rather suffer than deal with staff like this ..
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